Vertical rotatable show case



June 18, 1929. B VM, sMlTH 1,717,943

VERTICAL ROTATABLE snow CASE Filed May 29, 1928 F94 l INVENTOR BY eZy'amMSm/a Patented June i8, 192.9.

UNITED STATES it? i734? BENJAMIN M. SMTI-I,

0F LIMON, COLORADO.

VERTICAL ROTATAIBLE SHOW CASE.

Application filed. May 29,

My invention relates toimprovements in vertical rotatable show cases.

The object ofthe invention is to provide a vertical cylindrical show case, comprising a number of circular shelves arranged one above the -other and connected to a rotatable shaft which extends centrally through the shelves and is supported in a movable base; the space between each two shelves being partitioned into a number of compartments, preferably four, the said compartments being surrounded by a glass casing,slidable doors being arranged in the Kcasing for permitting access to the several compartments.

Further, to provide a show case of this character, which can be used to display various characters of merchandise, such as jewelry, fancy articles, candies and fruits, and which may also be provided with electric lamps, in order for night service.

These and other objects which will hereinafter appear, are accomplished by the device,

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which Fig. l is a perspectivel View of the improved rotatable show case. i

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, the top member thereof being removed.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the lower portion of the device, showing the manner in which the show lcase is supported and rotated, and also the manner of lighting the same, and

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the supporting base, the top thereof being removed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings The numeral 1 indicates the base or support, which is in the form of a box-like structure, and is mounted on caster wheels 2. Centrally within the base and secured to the floor thereof, is a block 3, which forms a ball bearing member, and is formed with a circular groove to receive balls 4l. The lower end of a vertical shaft 5, enters a central hole in the block 3, and a hub 6 is rigidly secured upon the shaft and is formed with a flange 7, which rests upon the bearing balls 1l. A grooved wheel 8 is also secured upon the shaft immediately above the flanged hub, and is connected by a cord or belt 9, with a flanged pulley l() on the shaft of a motor, which may be either electrically, or spring-operated, as may be found most convenient. The shaft 5 extends a suitable distance above the base, preferably about five feet, and flanged hubs 11 are se- 1928. serial No. 281,493.

cured upon the shaft at regular intervals, the lowest one being about eight inches above the base, and the highest one being at the top of the shaft. A circular bottom member or shelf 12, is secured upon the flange of the lowest hub; a circular top 13 is secured upon the flange of the top hub and circular shelves la are secured upon the flanges of the intervening hubs, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 3. Around each shelf, is secured a metal band 15, which is slightly wider than the thickness of the shelf, so as to extend a slight distance beyond each side of the shelf. Between each two shelves, between the lower shelf and the bottom member, and between the uppermost shelf and the top member, are placed radial partitions 16, which may be of glass, metal or wood, as may be desired, and these partitions extend from the shaft 5, to the bands 15, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Upon the outer edge of each partition is secured a guide strip 17, and about eight inches from each guide strip 17, and parallel therewith, is a companion guide strip 18 which is secured to a vertical strip or batten 19. A curved glass panel 20 is placed between each batten 19, and the partition farthest from the batten, and are held against outward movement, by the guide 17 on the said parti- L tion and the guide 18 on the batten 19, and their upper and lower edges are confined by the bands 15; the lower edges of all of the lowest panels being confined by a lip 21 on the bottom member 12, and the upper edges of all of the uppermost panels being confined by a similar lip 22 on the top 13. The panels are held against inward movement, by overlapping edges 23 on the battens, and by vertical strips 24 secured upon the sides of the partitions, as shown in Fig. 2. ln the space between each batten and the adjacent partition, is placed a glass panel 25 which is about half the height of one of the panels 20, and a' sliding door 26 covers the opening above each panel 25. The doors 26 may be either glass or metal, as desired, and are provided with knobs by which they may be slid down and up in the guideways. It will thus be seen that the spaces between the shelves are each divided into four compartments, and that each compartment is provided with asliding door, which may be slid down when it is desired to place articles of merchandise in the compartment, or to remove articles therefrom for supplying customers. The motor causes the show ease to rotate, so that the goods in each compartment may be conveniently inspected by a prospective customer, andthis movement of the case also serves to attract attention.

lIhe show case is supported to turnin a true vertical position, in the following` manner -Upon the under side of the bottom member l2 is secured a circular track 27 which bears upon rollers 28, supported in bearings 29 on a ring 30, having legs 31 which are bolted to the top of they base l. There are preferably eight of these rollers on the ring 30, and they act in conjunction withthe ball bearing at the lower end of the shaft to prevent rocking or swaying motion of the show case, and to cause it to rotate with the least possible amount of friction. While show cases of this character may be employed in displaying goods of various characters in city stores, they are also particularly adapted for use in connection with highway stores and filling stations, as they can be placed near the roadway so as to be easily seen by passing motorists, who may thus conveniently make purchases without leaving their cars.

It is preferable to light the show case in order that it may be used at night, and this is accomplished in the following manner :-A1i electric lamp is placed in each compartment, if the partitions are not glass, and the lamp sockets 32 may be secured to the flanges of the hubs ll, but insulated therefrom, so thatl when the lamp is screwed into the socket, one of its terminals will engage the said flange, while the other terminal is in electrical contact with the socket, in the usual manner.

lA current wire 33 extends from the lamp socket to a screw 34, which is screwed through the bottom l2 and into the track 27. A current wire 35 is connected at one end to the bearing block 3 in the base member,` and extends out through one side of the same. A current wire 36 is connected to one of the legs 31 of the ring 30, and the wires 35 and 36. are connected to a plugl 37 in the usual manner. Vhen the plug`37 is screwed into a current supply socket, the current passes through wire 35 to the bearing block 3 thence through the shaft 5 and flanged hubll the lamp and socket 32, the wire 83, screw 34, track 27 and ring 30, to wire 36, thus completing a circuit through the current source. While only a single lamp is illustrated, it will be understood that a lamp may be employed for each compartment.

While I have shown and described a show case, which is cylindrical in form, it will be understood that the cases may also be square, hexagonal or octagonal, and that the invention contemplates the employment of other minor changes in construction, without departing fromy the spirit of the invention.y

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure byrLetters, Patent, is

l. In a display case, the combination with a supporting base, of a vertical shaft rotatably supported therein, flanged hubs mount* ed at intervals on said shaft, shelves axially mounted on said shaft and secured upon the fianges of said hubs, radial partitions which divide the space between each two shelves into compartments, glass walls for said compartments, metal bands surrounding said shelves and extending slightly above and below the sides of the shelves, thereby to. confine said glass walls, and doors on said walls.

2.. In a display case, a supporting base, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted at its lower end in said base; flangedhubs secured at intervals upon said shaft; shelvesY axially mounted on the shaft and secured upon the flanges of the hubs, the bottom shelf being spaced from the base; a circular track, supported on said basev and rollers on said bottom shelf which ride upon said track, metal bands which surround the-'edges of said shelves and extend slightly above and below the sides thereof, radial partitions. which divide the space between each two shelves into compartments, transparent panels` which close each compartment, their upper and lower edge portions being confined by said metal bands, and doors in said panels.

In testin'iony whereof, I affix my signature.

` BENJAMIN. M. SMITH. 

